State of Oregon Ranks Last in Paid Advocates for Elderly & Disabled Populations in Long Term Care Facilities
Posted on 04. Jan, 2011 by Aaron Yeagle in Senior Health
Oregon Live – Doug (Chandler) and his wife, Carmel Chandler, glanced at one another and followed the woman to her room to investigate. Doug examined three empty oxygen tanks and a compressor that seemed to be malfunctioning. He opened a thick notebook, took careful notes. Then he summoned a passing aide as Carmel reassured the woman they were not facility staff.
“We’re volunteers for the state of Oregon,” Carmel said. “We’re here to advocate for you.”
Of all the dubious distinctions Oregon has achieved recently, here’s another whopper: The state ranks dead last in the number of paid ombudsmen who investigate and resolve complaints for people in long-term care. Oregon was 52nd in a 2008 federal report ranking states and territories.
Federal law requires states to have an ombudsman to protect the rights of people in long-term care. The average state has one ombudsman monitoring 2,220 beds. Oregon has just one for 6,692 beds.
In 2011, the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is poised to lose two thirds of its federal funding under a scheduled Medicaid change. With that loss, the state would need to double its general fund contribution to $2.06 million to maintain current services, at a time when the state faces a $3.5 billion deficit.
Any hope of filling the gap rests almost entirely on adding to the 150 Oregonians who already provide most of the oversight — as volunteers.
Obviously this is an ominous sign for long term care in Oregon. However, lack of funding is not an issue state and federal agencies have any shortage of experience working around. My question is – when will the breaking point happen?
For over a decade public schools, healthcare, and a host of other important sectors of our society have been hit with major budget cuts. The growing deficit and sheer cutting of state personnel is a band aid approach to resolving the issue.
And, of course, the lack of oversight for potential problems at assisted living facilities and adult care homes is hitting the senior and disabled populations where it hurts most: in quality of life. Already understaffed by a 1:3 ratio compared to the average state, long-term care facilities in Oregon may be held to the same standards as similar facilities in other states, but there is a clear issue in the lack of personnel. Plain and simply put: 2 of every 3 complaints (on average) will take too long to investigate and resolve.
The list of reasons why this should be resolved is clearly a long one. One critical reason is the health hazard put towards those being neglected or wrongfully treated. Another is an integrity issue with Oregon facilities having more time to cover complaints, or mistakes, before someone of any authority can properly investigate.
Certainly an issue the senior population and families should keep in the back of their minds while receiving long term care.